7 generations and 2,000,000 units have witnessed its existence: the Nissan Patrol is turning 75 years old — and there’s still no news about an electric version.
The Nissan Patrol is celebrating 75 years as one of the most recognizable SUVs in the automotive industry. Since its inception in Japan in 1951, this model has evolved through seven generations, sold over two million units, and proven its capabilities in some of the planet’s most challenging terrains.
However, there is one unfinished chapter in its history: the introduction of a fully electric version.
From Japan to the Australian desert: seven generations of history
The story began in 1951 with the Nissan 4W60, the brand’s first four-wheel-drive vehicle. That year it managed to climb Mount Fuji, a demonstration of its off-road capabilities that helped establish its reputation.
In 1957 it reached Kuwait, and in 1960 the second generation appeared, known as the Series 60. Its international expansion continued with arrivals in Australia and the United States in 1961. In the Australian market it achieved one of its major milestones by becoming the first motorized vehicle to cross the Simpson Desert, traversing over 1,100 dunes in a 12-day journey.
The third generation, the Patrol 160, appeared in 1980. It retained its off-road capabilities but added five- and seven-seater configurations that expanded its use as a family vehicle. It also played an important role in motorsport, achieving 15 consecutive victories in the production vehicle category of the Australian Off-Road Championship.
In 1987, the legendary Patrol 160 Fanta Limón participated in the Paris-Dakar Rally. Driven by Miguel Prieto and Ramón Termens, it finished ninth in the overall standings and won the diesel category. It was the first vehicle powered by this fuel to finish in the top ten of the race.
The fourth generation, the Patrol GR Y60, arrived in 1987 and was in production until 1997. It introduced significant improvements in handling and comfort, including helical spring suspensions.
Currently, the Patrol is sold in 42 markets around the world, though Spain is not among them. Its production remains in Japan, where Nissan manufactures the seventh generation at its Shatai Kyushu plant.
To celebrate the anniversary, the brand has announced two new models. The United States will receive the Nissan Armada Patrol PRO-4X in 2027, a version that reinstates the Patrol name in that market for the first time since 1969. Meanwhile, the Middle East will get a special 75th anniversary edition, initially limited to 1,951 units. Based on the Platinum V6 biturbo trim, it features Copper Gold exterior accents, a burgundy interior, and specific commemorative elements.
The Patrol Also Has a History in Spain
The relationship between this SUV and our country deserves its own chapter. In 1983, the Patrol became the first Nissan manufactured in Europe, specifically at the plant in Barcelona’s Free Zone.
Over 18 years, until 2001, 196,000 units were produced there. Its commercial success was particularly significant: in 1988, one out of every two SUVs sold in Spain was a Nissan Patrol, which held a 52% market share in this segment.
The fifth generation, the Y61, appeared in 1997 with a more rounded body design and features such as a satellite navigation system and a rearview camera. In 2007, two units participated in the Long Way Down expedition, a journey of about 24,000 kilometers from the UK to South Africa, which they completed with only one flat tire.
In 2010, the sixth generation, the Y62, arrived, significantly raising the level of comfort and technology. It also set three Guinness World Records: pulling a 170.9-ton aircraft 50 meters in 2013, achieving the fastest ascent of a 100-meter sand dune in 2015, and gathering 180 Patrols for the largest synchronized car dance in 2018. The same period saw the launch of the first Patrol NISMO version, designed for the Middle East.
In 2016, the model returned to the United States under the name Nissan Armada, equipped with a 5.6-liter V8 engine producing 390 horsepower.
Why isn’t there a Nissan Patrol electric vehicle yet?
Nissan unveiled the seventh generation in Abu Dhabi in 2024. The new Patrol retains its large-size off-road design philosophy but features a more luxurious and technologically advanced interior. One of its key updates was replacing the previous V8 engine with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that delivers 425 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque.
Production began in 2025 in Japan, for both the Patrol aimed at international markets and its North American counterpart, the Armada.
With 75 years of history behind it, the next major step could be an electrified version. This wouldn’t contradict its off-road philosophy. On the contrary, an electric propulsion system would allow for high torque from a standstill and precise control over power delivery to each wheel—two features particularly useful for driving off paved roads.
The challenge lies in developing a vehicle of these dimensions that maintains its range when navigating difficult terrain, towing loads, or climbing steep slopes. The weight of batteries, protecting them from impacts, and ensuring sufficient energy supply away from charging stations are significant hurdles.
Nissan is moving in that direction, though it has not yet announced an electric Patrol. Its new product strategy includes various propulsion technologies, and among its upcoming projects is the return of the Nissan Xterra, a SUV with a frame-based chassis set to arrive by the end of 2028, offering V6 and V6 hybrid engines.
The Patrol has managed to adapt through seven generations while retaining its identity. After 75 years, an electric version would represent an interesting evolution for one of the most iconic names in SUV history. For now, however, it remains a possibility that Nissan has not yet turned into an announced project.